Benton Harbor Area Schools

The February regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dan McGinnis at 6:05 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present: Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mrs. Carolyn Fort, Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Anthony Henry (6:39), Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts

Also Present: Student Board Member Candace Walker and Abraham Chopin

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Communications
Trustee Fort read a letter in recognition of the New York Life Insurance Company announcing the names of the recipients of the third annual Cirilo A. McSween - New York Life - Rainbow/PUSH Excel Scholarship Award. Shayla S. Terrell, a native of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and a sophomore business administration major at Alabama A & M University in Huntsville, Alabama received a $2500.00 scholarship for academic excellence.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Minutes of the work session of January 9, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of January 11, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of January 20, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of January 22, 2007 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $1,763,677.42 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Activity of the General Fund was reviewed and accepted as presented.

Recognitions
In honor of Principals' Week February 11-17, 2007, District principals received a plaque and letter of recognition.

Praise and recognition was extended to Veronica Spencer, Coordinator of Health Services, on behalf of the District receiving an award of excellence from the American Cancer Society for participation in the Michiana Coordinated School Health Leadership Institute.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the resolution by the State of Michigan, Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, proclaiming February 11-17, 2007, as Principals' Week in Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT Board policies :

• CEA - School Superintendent/Qualifications
• CEB - Duties of the Superintendent
• CEC - School Superintendent/Recruitment
• CG - Administrative Personnel
• CGB - Administrative Personnel Positions

be hereby adopted as policy of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
Staff Report #3 - Superintendent Search Firm Selection was pulled from the agenda.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Board of Education, Benton Harbor Area Schools, meet in closed session on the following dates:

Tuesday, February 20, 2007 before, during or following the regular meeting of the Board of Education on that date, and

Tuesday, March 6, 2007 before, during or following the work session of the Board of Education on that date,

in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, in said District for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel litigations, negotiations and possible expulsions.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolution indicating the purpose of the regular school election, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Ms. Buchana and supported by Mrs. Watts:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2007 summer school property taxes with the following governing units:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Agreement with Lake Michigan College to provide an instructor for the District's Web Design and Cisco Networking Academy.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS Key Club trip to Midland, Michigan scheduled for March 23-25, 2007, to participate in the annual Key Club Convention.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Buchana

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education vote to accept the retirement of Charlotte Wilkins, effective June 8, 2007, and that a letter be sent thanking her for her years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ the following teachers, effective as referenced:

Susan L. Hunter - January 22, 2007
Ryan Oshnock - January 30, 2007
LaTonya Scott - January 22, 2007

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the recall of teacher Larry Featherstone, effective October 14, 2006.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent/Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mrs. Watts:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2006-2007 school year.

$1220.33 Berrien County Resource Recovery Grant to Sorter School

The motion passed on the following vote:

Other
Benton Harbor High School student Trenton Bowens discussed a proposed student radio talk show Tiger Pride to air on Benton Harbor City's radio station WBHC-96.5. All Benton Harbor High School seniors are eligible to apply for this opportunity by submitting a one-page essay.

Benton Harbor High School seniors Kiniata Clay and Derek Williams were present to discuss their hands on experiences and direct work with patients, as students in the Professional Health Careers Academy.

Superintendent's Update
District school improvement readouts start on Wednesday, February 20, 2007.

Wallace Foundation representatives met with District staff last week to review the foundation project, which is designed to improve student achievement through principal leadership in data driven decision-making.

The State of Michigan Focused Monitoring Plan has been received and the District must develop a corrective action strategy.

The District has employment positions currently open that include a Director of Technology, Accountant and Human Resources Manager.

The new main stage curtain for the Kuschel Performing Arts Center has been ordered.

St. Joseph Public Schools will host a Financial Services Academy next school year for students.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Scholarship Banquet has been scheduled for 6:00 Saturday, April 14, 2007.

Public Participation
Ms. Karen Sisson addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns for playground safety and the lack of paper available to teachers at Morton Elementary School.

Ms. Brenda Clay addressed the Board of Education commending the recent banquet for high school students with a 4.0 GPA and asked if there were any plans to celebrate those students who have sustained 3.95 - 3.99 GPA.

Board Comments
Trustee Buchana expressed her concerns with students walking to school in the middle of the streets during inclement weather and not being property dressed.

Trustee Smith discussed her attendance at the recent Michigan Association of School Boards Urban Conference.

Trustee McGinnis commended the District principals and the Health Academy students.

Morton Elementary School “Read Across America with Dr. Seuss” is scheduled for Friday, March 2, 2007.

There being no further business, the February regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

This page was last modified : September 11, 2007